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Indiana driving guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Indiana Habitual Traffic Violator (HTV) Law Explained
Repeated traffic offenses can cost an Indiana driver their license for years. Here is how the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) decides who is a Habitual Traffic Violator (HTV), which offenses count, and how long the suspensions last.
10 yrslook-back period
5 yrsSection C suspension
10 yrsSection A or B suspension
Lifetwo fatal OWI judgments
The short answer
Indiana's HTV law looks at a driver's record over 10 years. Two judgments for major offenses resulting in injury or death (Section A) or three major offenses such as OWI or reckless driving (Section B) bring a 10-year suspension. Ten or more traffic violations including one major offense, or one of the Section C offenses (Section C), bring five years. Two fatal OWI judgments bring a lifetime suspension.
What is a habitual traffic violator?
The Indiana BMV says Indiana's Habitual Traffic Violator (HTV) law provides serious penalties for drivers who have repeatedly committed traffic offenses over a 10-year period. The BMV uses the criteria in statute, summarized in three sections, to decide whether a driver qualifies as an HTV.
| Section | What counts (within 10 years) | Suspension |
|---|---|---|
| A | Two judgments for major offenses resulting in injury or death | 10 years; life for two judgments of OWI or .08 BAC resulting in death |
| B | Three judgments for major offenses (list below), including any Section A offense | 10 years |
| C | 10 or more traffic violations, one of which is a major offense from Section A or B or one of the Section C offenses | 5 years |
From the BMV's Common Traffic Violations page and the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, read November 10, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
Section A: two major offenses resulting in injury or death
An HTV under Section A is a person who, within 10 years, accumulates two judgments resulting in injury or death. The offenses the BMV lists include:
- Reckless homicide resulting from operating a motor vehicle
- Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter resulting from operating a motor vehicle
- Failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death or injury to provide information and assistance
- Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated resulting in death
- Operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or more resulting in death
Two judgments from this list bring a 10-year suspension. Two judgments for operating while intoxicated resulting in death, or operating with a BAC of .08 percent or more resulting in death, bring a suspension for life.
From the BMV's Common Traffic Violations page and the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, read November 10, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
Section B: three major offenses
Three judgments within 10 years from this list bring a 10-year suspension:
- Driving while intoxicated or with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or more
- Reckless driving
- Criminal recklessness as a felony involving the operation of a motor vehicle
- Drag racing or engaging in a speed contest in violation of the law
- Leaving the scene of an accident, or failing to notify authorities of an accident when required
- Resisting law enforcement under IC 35-44.1-3-1
- Any felony under an Indiana motor vehicle statute, or any felony in which operating a vehicle is an element of the offense
- Operating a Class B motor driven cycle in violation of IC 9-24-1-1(b)
- Any of the offenses listed in Section A
From the BMV's Common Traffic Violations page and the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, read November 10, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
Section C: 10 traffic violations in 10 years
Section C applies to a driver with 10 or more traffic violations in a 10-year period, one of which is a major offense from Section A or B, or one of these:
- Operating a motor vehicle while the license is suspended or revoked as a result of a conviction under the statutes the BMV lists (IC 9-24-19-2, IC 9-24-19-3, and two repealed sections)
- Operating a motor vehicle without ever having obtained a license
A Section C HTV faces a five-year suspension. The BMV's example: a person with nine speeding tickets and one OWI conviction in a 10-year period is subject to a five-year suspension as an HTV.
From the BMV's Common Traffic Violations page and the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, read November 10, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
Driving while suspended as an HTV, and Restriction 5
Indiana law says a person convicted of operating a vehicle while suspended as an HTV may have driving privileges suspended for a period set by the court. A "Restriction 5" is placed on the license of a person granted hardship, probationary, conditional or specialized driving privileges by court order, and the manual says Restriction 2 is no longer added for HTV suspensions or HTV probationary licenses expiring on or after January 1, 2015.
From the BMV's Common Traffic Violations page and the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, read November 10, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
Keep your Ford road-ready at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Safe driving starts with a well-maintained vehicle.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 10, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Indiana habitual traffic violator: FAQ
What is a habitual traffic violator in Indiana?
Under Indiana's HTV law, a driver who repeatedly commits traffic offenses over a 10-year period can be classed as a Habitual Traffic Violator. The BMV applies three sets of criteria (Sections A, B and C).
How long is an HTV suspension in Indiana?
Ten years under Section A or B, five years under Section C, and life for two judgments of operating while intoxicated, or with a BAC of .08 percent or more, resulting in death.
How many tickets make you a habitual traffic violator in Indiana?
Under Section C, 10 or more traffic violations in 10 years, if one of them is a major offense from Section A or B or one of the Section C offenses. The BMV's example is nine speeding tickets plus one OWI conviction.
Does an OWI count toward HTV status?
Yes. Driving while intoxicated or with a BAC of .08 percent or more is a Section B offense, and an OWI resulting in death is a Section A offense.
What happens if I drive while suspended as an HTV?
Indiana law says a person convicted of operating a vehicle while suspended as an HTV may have driving privileges suspended for a period set by the court.
What is Restriction 5 on an Indiana license?
It is placed on the license of a person granted hardship, probationary, conditional or specialized driving privileges by court order.
More Indiana driving guides
See our guides to Indiana speed limits, the hands-free driving law and the move over law, or schedule service at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
HTV criteria, offenses and suspension lengths are from the BMV's Common Traffic Violations page and Chapter 5 of the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), read November 10, 2026. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
- Common Traffic Violations, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- Indiana Driver's Manual (PDF), Chapter 5: Habitual Traffic Violators, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026